Enugu moves against noise pollution from worship centres, night clubs

Enugu State government has declared  noise pollution from churches and entertainment  centres as one of the greatest problems being faced by its residents.

The state stated that it has received over 1,000 petitions from residents, urging it to take measures to curb the spread of the menace.

The government has slated November 15, 2024 for implementation  of sanctions on noise pollution and advised churches and owners of entertainment centres to soundproof their buildings so as not to disturb the neighbourhood.

Chairman of the state Capital Territory Development Authority, (ECTDA), Uche Anya, who met with leaders of religious groups and owners of event centres to discuss ways of curtailing noise pollution, insisted that “residents have the right to non-interference to their privacy.”

He said that the meetingnwas part of the agency’s campaign to clamp down on the menace of noise pollution in the state.

It would be recalled that the state government, had in December 2023, directed all night clubs, beer parlours and other entertainment operators to mitigate their noise pollution in the capital city, particularly in residential areas.

Anya, said the engagement was apt, because the state government would soon commence the implementation of the Anti-noise Pollution Policy.

The chairman further emphasised that the aim of the engagement was not to demolish any church or entertainment centre, but to brainstorm on the best way to make the residential areas hospitable.

While stating that the authority had received over a thousand petitions from the people concerning the rate of noise pollution in the state, the ECTDA boss urged the church leaders and entertainment centres to ensure that their buildings were soundproofed.

He threatened to shut down any church or entertainment centre sited within the residential zones that refuses to comply with the directives of the government even when it obtained any form of noise permit from the state government.

Anya promised that the agency would be humane in handling the situation which according to him, was not aimed at harming anyone, but to make the state conducive for living and for the best interest of the citizens.

“We cannot continue to live as if the society is lawless. People woke up every day and plant churches and entertainment centres as they like and create unpleasant noise to discomfort residents. We will no longer tolerate this”, he said

In their separate speeches, Rev. Carley Ibekwe and the leader of Hausa community in Enugu, Alhaji Sariki Sambo, assured the agency of their readiness to comply with the directives.

Also, the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on mainstream media, Dan Nwomeh and his new media counterpart, Dr Reuben Onyishi who commended the ECTDA chairman for his efforts in bringing sanity in the metropolis, urged the agency to also consider relocating roadside mechanics to a befitting place.

They also condemned the practice of blocking major roads and streets during weekends by residents in the guise of ceremonies and urged the agency to intervene.